USA citizen background check

[EnglishtutorKat]

Hi, I was wondering if someone could give me some information if they have done this before. I am a US citizen and I have been offered a job with children here in Hong Kong and they are asking for my "police background check from your home country". I haven't lived in the US for over a decade, which is irrelevant to their process. Has anyone obtained this from Hong Kong? I can only imagine it will not be a simple process at all. I've never had a background check from the US.

[shafiq]

https://www.police.gov.hk/ppp_en/11_...e.html#oversea

It states “can only be done for visa purposes or adoption”.

[shafiq]

This is more appropriate as you are going to work with children.

https://www.police.gov.hk/ppp_en/11_...info/scrc.html

[EnglishtutorKat]

https://www.police.gov.hk/ppp_en/11_...e.html#oversea

It states “can only be done for visa purposes or adoption”.

That's for the Hong Kong police background check, and the employer has said they will help me with that, so I'm not concerned. It's getting a USA background check that I'm concerned about. I don't know where to start. A quick look at the Consulate website didn't offer any help.

Edit: I take that back, I found this:

U.S. citizens may be asked to present a “certificate of good conduct” or “lack of a criminal record” for a variety of reasons for use abroad including adoption, school attendance, employment, etc. U.S. law enforcement authorities may not be familiar with such a procedure since it is not commonly requested in the United States. There are a variety of options available to U.S. citizens seeking to obtain proof of their lack of a criminal record.

https://travel.state.gov/content/tra...rd-checks.html

Just wondering if someone has been through this process and has some suggestions or can tell me more about what they did.

[Bob Loblaw]

My kid was in a US kindergarten last year. Parents were welcome to come into the classroom to help out with various aspects of teaching, etc., but had to pass an FBI background check.
Some of the parents did, and it wasn't that hard... but obvs, they were in the US at the time.

Not sure this helps you in any concrete way, but the FBI does have some sort of system for this.

[MandM!]

This is what you're looking you. You need to do it in the US (not sure if you can do it at the embassy) but they need to fingerprint you and it takes months.

The FBI will check the database to see if your fingerprints match any arrest record (any DUI's or one night visits to the police station will likely show up). If not then the paper says "No arrest record found". Pay for an extra copy for your records as each copy has its own seal and signature. I got one for myself a long time ago and never used it.

https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/id...summary-checks

Now this is something more formal. What type of organization is asking and for what purpose? I don't believe there is any official purpose to ask, rather it is just asked to tick a box and move on. In that case you can do a quicky internet search with your name and driver license number and try to submit that for the purpose of saving time. It'll probably suffice (albeit it isn't 100% accurate). Just hope some criminals don't have the same name as you.

There's a bunch but have a look around to find one that suits you.

https://www.backgroundchecks.com/sol.../peoplefinders

[EnglishtutorKat]

Actually, remarkably, I have been able to find this criminal background check with the FBI, and there is an electronic submission option, which only takes a few minutes to complete. You can pay online, too, with a credit card/paypal and it costs only $18. Only painful part is mailing in finger prints. I think I will do this and am now verifying with the employer if this is what they need.

https://www.edo.cjis.gov/#/

[MandM!]

Fingerprints--how can they be certain they are yours. They have to be validated somewhere and somewhere that they can check. So not likely the HK police station.

Try to submit a more basic one. If you start with the hardest one to get them they'll want it. Then you'll later find out other staff just submitted a online one. You're looking at 3+ months to get this done. Make sure you have the time too!

[jgl]

Fingerprints--how can they be certain they are yours. They have to be validated somewhere and somewhere that they can check. So not likely the HK police station.

Try to submit a more basic one. If you start with the hardest one to get them they'll want it. Then you'll later find out other staff just submitted a online one. You're looking at 3+ months to get this done. Make sure you have the time too!

Fingerprints can, iirc, be done at police HQ in Admiralty.

[EnglishtutorKat]

Fingerprints can, iirc, be done at police HQ in Admiralty.

Hi jgl, so if I complete the online FBI application, I can print the form and go to the Admiralty police station to get the finger print done properly? Do you know if I can go to any police station to do this or just the headquarters?

Still, would be great to hear from anyone who has done this recently.